NationStates Jolt Archive

I hate driver's ed with a burning passion. From experience, driver's ed basically says "turn the steering wheel left and the car goes left." Or "here's a sign that says '65 mph.' What does that mean?" But that is not all to hate about it. Let me explain my circumstances.

1 and 1/2 years ago, I lived in Alabama. We didn't have mandatory driver's ed, but I opted to take it to lower insurance payments (I didn't have my learner's permit yet, as I was 14 still--just like 3 weeks off, IIRC). We had to pay like $300, and the course included both behind the wheel and classroom instruction. We even had enough time to go over boating (I passed that exam and got a boating license) I then got my learner's permit and all was well. Or so we thought.

We moved to Virginia. The age to get your permit went from 15 to 15 and 9 months. Plus, driver's ed became mandatory. Now, we were thinking "yeah, I took that already, no worry." Well, Virginia said "no, we won't take it because it was from Alabama. Now STFU and go home." So I ended up having to drop an elective at school (which I had to drop most of them anyways because VA didn't like several of my classes from AL) to take some bullshit driver's ed class that I had already taken. I slept through the class and passed easily. However, here in VA, they don't let you do behind the wheel for free. You have to pay, depending on where you are. So in addition to having VA screw over my education with classes I already took, VA decided it needed $200 in my case.

But then I moved once again, this time to another VA county (Culpeper). I never got to take behind the wheel, and because of that, I don't have a license. Despite that fact that I am past the driving age here (16 and 3 months). In the school I'm in, they let you take behind the wheel for cheaper ($80 I think). But guess what? I've got to wait until spring. SPRING! And I signed up in September, I think.

So, if any of you advocate driver's ed, I will hunt you down.:mad:
Driver's ed advocate -->:eek: :sniper: <-- me
:mad:

Life is full of frustrations. I just got off the phone with my phone/DSL service because they haven't gotten my billing right for the past four months.

My advice to you is; forget it and get on with your life, or forget driving and get a bicycle. I do emphasize with you but do not feel sorry for you.

Start hunting. I'm in favor of drivers ed. As a matter of fact, I'm in favor of it being mandatory to get a license. AND I think you should only be able to drive to work until your 18. Why, you ask? Because kids are dumb, thats why.

~EDIT~ Do you have ANY idea how many highschool kids I've had to pull out of ditches?

I most certainly advocate driver's ed. I also advocate extremely strict and expensive licensing requirements, as well as extremely severe penalties for poor/unsafe driving. I've been nearly killed (either in a car, or as a pedestrian) too many times to believe that most people out there are qualified to operate a motor vehicle. I don't even trust them to breathe and walk in a straight line without becoming disoriented and confused. My favorite is the little brat whose daddy bought her a new SUV, nevermind that she can barely see over the steering wheel. Luckly, I was able to manuver out of the way before she put her license plate through my driver's side window...

When I took driver's "ed," I spend most of the time wondering when the actual "ed" part was going to kick in. This needs to change.

Well, comrade Sick Nightmares, I can sympathize somewhat with you saying driver's ed should be mandatory. But it MUST, MUST, have a set standard so this bullshit can't happen.

Celtlund, I've had more than life's fair share of frustrations. I've been robbed, I've been in 2 hit and run accidents in the past year, I've had crooked builders try and gouge the price of our house by significant amounts, VA school counselors screw me over, and the list goes on and on.

I think I need a psychologist or something. I am pissed as hell. I guess y'all should just ignore my senseless rambling.

...My favorite is the little brat whose daddy bought her a new SUV, nevermind that she can barely see over the steering wheel...

Cell phone. Got to talk on that cell phone while driving. :( Need to pass a law against doing that and make it a fine of $1,000.00.

Celtlund, I've had more than life's fair share of frustrations. I've been robbed, I've been in 2 hit and run accidents in the past year, I've had crooked builders try and gouge the price of our house by significant amounts, VA school counselors screw me over, and the list goes on and on.

I think I need a psychologist or something. I am pissed as hell. I guess y'all should just ignore my senseless rambling.

No, we shouldn't ignore your ramblings. You are venting your anger just as I did with SBC. The point we both need to remember is there are things in life that are a lot more important than an incorrect bill or a license. Here, we both need this: :fluffle: :)

In B.C. You only pay $10 CAD for the learner licence and the new driver guidebook. Plus you can take the Driver's Ed (or Driving School) for around $40 - 100 CAD + GST/PST if you want to knock off 3 months of the required minimum 12 months.;)

Yeah, driver's ed is stupid. They should just let anyone drive a car. It's not like they should know about the right of way, how to blink, or how to drive a standard.

I work at an inbound call center handling health insurance problems. Some of the things people have called in about have really put into perspective my own problems. I'm not trying to be a jerk, but count your blessings that driver's ed is the worst you have to complain about.

Yeah, driver's ed is stupid. They should just let anyone drive a car. It's not like they should know about the right of way, how to blink, or how to drive a standard.

Well sir, your cynicism aside, driver's ed doesn't really teach that sort of stuff. Actual driving lessons do. Driver's ed teaches things like what to do at stop signs or green lights. That sort of thing.

Well sir, your cynicism aside, driver's ed doesn't really teach that sort of stuff. Actual driving lessons do. Driver's ed teaches things like what to do at stop signs or green lights. That sort of thing.
Still, some people are pretty stupid.

And everyday I get a little more cynical.

Still, some people are pretty stupid.

And everyday I get a little more cynical.

A lot of people are very stupid. And I'm just as cynical.

A lot of people are very stupid. And I'm just as cynical.
Cynicalism rocks. Do you agree?

Cynicalism rocks. Do you agree?

No. Cynicism sucks, just like everything else.

No. Cynicism sucks, just like everything else.
Very clever Saji.

Life is full of frustrations like that. I remember when I was living in Texas, and the drinking age was 18. I became old enough to drink, legally. THEN TEXAS CHANGED THE GODDAMN LAW...and didn't grandfather us...so I had the privilege of being able to legally drink taken away from me again, till I was 21.

Driver's education was a major waste of time for me, as well, but you have to take into account the fact that not everyone has an IQ of over 38 - that makes me think twice about whether or not it should be required.

Personally, my beef is with the non-written part of the driver's test. I think they should make it much more difficult, and require young and old people to pass it biennially. And I'm "young people." Then again, I'd pass it, so I wouldn't really care about having to pass it once every couple of years. Punks and old people are just worse drivers than middle-aged people, as a general rule. They fuck up more, and do stupid shit.

Yeah, driver's ed is stupid. They should just let anyone drive a car. It's not like they should know about the right of way, how to blink, or how to drive a standard.

Well, I'm 34 and I STILL can't drive a standard. Solution: don't get a stick shift vehicle. Always make sure you get an automatic. Problem solved.

You don't need to have to know how to drive stick in order to be a good driver.

Well, I'm 34 and I STILL can't drive a standard. Solution: don't get a stick shift vehicle. Always make sure you get an automatic. Problem solved.

You don't need to have to know how to drive stick in order to be a good driver.

did you know people that drive cars with a standerd transmision are less likely to be in a car crash?

did you know people that drive cars with a standerd transmision are less likely to be in a car crash?

Couldn't prove it by me. My record is squeaky-clean. And that's with nearly 500,000 miles under my belt now. I used to drive for a living. And always drove automatic, too.

Hate stickshift. The one and only time I ever tried driving one, it is a miracle I didn't get into an accident, what with constantly rolling backwards!!

Couldn't prove it by me. My record is squeaky-clean. And that's with nearly 500,000 miles under my belt now. I used to drive for a living. And always drove automatic, too.

Hate stickshift. The one and only time I ever tried driving one, it is a miracle I didn't get into an accident, what with constantly rolling backwards!!
that was statisticaly speeking.....
it takes a bit of time to learn how to drive one yes....it first time i drove a standerd i rolled and stalled a lot as well, but now that i do know how to drive one i cant stand automatic transmissions

My driver's ed class was pretty painless. It was boring at times, but never as bad as you describe. I think it's a good idea, but there's room for improvement.

"Who else HATES driver's ed?"

I failed it twice, once because I gave a smart-ass answer to a stuipd question, and once because I did the driving course like a bat outta hell! ROFLMAO!

I TOLD you guys ... ah been a baaaad boy! :D

Bah, education is good - regardless what topic.

And having teens taught how to read signs (and some apparently have trouble, particular with the speed limit ones...:D ) is a way to make old people shut up about young rowdy drivers.

That being said, I'm 20 years old, held my license for nigh on three years now...and I just got an offer for a new turbo & intercooler kit for the Rex which might take it to nearly 300bHP.

Clearly deserves a big :D .

(The price is another matter...:eek:)

I hate driver's ed with a burning passion. So, if any of you advocate driver's ed, I will hunt you down.:mad:
Driver's ed advocate -->:eek: :sniper: <-- me
:mad:

Hahahaha.. oyu'd have to swim to England.. :)

OK, I agree with what you were saying, about the lack of consistancy between areas; that's got to be frustrating for anyone. (I hate bureaucracy..), so my sympathy there.

Now spare a though for the new Motorbike rider over here, who's trying to take his or her test.
First: apply for a provisional licence. Then, have the Motorcycle entitlement added to it. (This lasts just 2 years,then if you havn't made the effort to get a full licence, and all the training , you and your bike get booted off the road for a year.).... an incentive to get all the training!
Second: take the CBT... this is a mixture of practical "how to stay alive on a bike" training, both on private land and on the road, and theory. The reason is to give you a chance to live long enough while you learn).
Third: now you can ride with Learner plates, you can take your Theory test (the written exam of it all), while still practicing on the road.
Forth: The final bit, the actual Main Test. Over here that's a pursuit style test, with the examiner following (also on a bike), shouting directions, while checking every sequence of foot and hand control as you ride.
Pass all that (in 2 years), and you have a licence. Although the licence you'll get depends on age, as you need to be 21 or over to get a licence to ride the bigger bikes.
All this sounds a lot... and none of it is school based.. it's all in your own time, with each part costing money (obvious.. I guess.)

The result, is that Bikers now live a lot longer :D as most of the training is 'Defensive Riding' based. So.. in my humble opinion... a good thing.

The only down side, is that they won't bring this in for car drivers! ( who are resposible for about 75% of the injuries caused to bike riders).

OK, it's all a pain in the arse when you're doing it, I agree, but if it keeps you (and someone else) alive, then I've gotta say, I'm all for it.